Ghanaians Are Dying Young | Research

A gripping and heart-dampening research conducted by the Longevity Project Group, a Ghanaian NGO, has revealed that Ghanaians have an incredible low life expectancy. “The research undertaken by the Longevity Project Group reveals that, Ghana suffers from an incredibly low life expectancy which is as a result of natal related deaths, malnutrition, inadequate poor public sanitation, a combination of deadly infectious diseases, and increasing diseases brought about by the lifestyle of Ghanaians” noted Anna Bannerman–Richter, who doubles as a lawyer and Editor-in-Chief of Africa Alive, a health and fitness magazine. The research shows that chances of survival up to 58 years for most Ghanaians is a major challenge, with a number of those ho go past this age having to face serious chronic diseases. Richter-Bannerman said Ghana shares this heartbreaking statistics with most of its sub-Saharan neighbours and it is as a result of a similar pattern of lifestyle exhibited by individuals living in sub-Saharan countries. The research noted that the health of Ghanaians and their fitness standards respectively are not anything to write home about. “This is happening because of inadequate access to health information in the system”Bannerman–Richter added, saying things may get worse before they get better, adding that, “escalating levels of environmental pollution and latent mental health problems threaten to worsen an already dismal situation in the country, in addition to hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, and other life threatening diseases”.Speaking at the recent launch of the health magazine, Bannerman–Richter said due to the state of Ghanaian workers’ health, productivity today in Ghana has enormously been affected, giving way to inefficiency and ineffectiveness on the part of employees in the business sector. “These losses cut across all industries and the cost of treatment represents a substantial drain on the national pocket.” According to her, most Ghanaians are uninformed about the hazards posed by substandard living conditions, poor sanitations, diet and inadequate exercises. Madam Bannerman-Richter stated that the magazine was going to be an effective vehicle to inform all and sundry, expressing the hope that it would revolutionize habits and life styles. “The magazines will also be a useful tool for advocating improved responsiveness from both the public and private sectors towards public health concerns”. Some distinguished speakers during the launch were the chairman for the occasion Mr. Prince Kofi Amoabeng, CEO of Unique Trust Financial Services, who stated that it is his wish that all corporate organizations will join the Longevity Project Group, to work hard to educate Ghanaians on good health standards. He called on the Ministry of Health to take the lead as its social responsibility, since this falls within its domain, and the private sector would. Dr. Angela Ofori-Atta, who stood in for her husband Mr. Ken Ofori Atta, reviewed the Africa Alive Health and Fitness Magazine and recommended it as a must-read for all health-conscious Ghanaians.